Well, let's see what happens...

After a whole lot of thinking (really too much imo) I am going to take step one and see if this new career possibility will work out.

Headed to pay for my own DOT physical this Saturday and make sure I pass. I am in great health but have a hearing loss from birth that I wear hearing aids for. I just want to make sure I can pass the whisper test or whatever they do. I figure $50 is money well spent to make sure before I do anything further.

If not, I will most likely take some classes starting this fall to get back into the career field I got a degree in. It would take a year to get back up to speed and hopefully get a job doing that (Geographic Information Systems, GIS). No guarantees there either with this economy which is a big concern there.

So, wish me luck this weekend. I picked a reputable place I think to get the test done.

 

Figured I would give an update if anyone cares

I decided to pursue some other opportunities besides trucking for now. I am going to try to work in the field I went to school for after taking some classes to get back up to date in the fall and spring semesters. While it will suck being broke for the next year, I think it will pay off in the long run with a good paying career and living a "normal" life. The more I thought about it, the more I realized the fun and newness of trucking would wear off quickly and I have a feeling I would regret it over time.

Anyway, I may decide to do it in the future when I retire from my other career, who knows. Safe trucking for all of you guys! I'm sure I will still lurk around here every now and then. At least you will have one 4 wheeler (me) who drives appropriately around you guys and not like a crazy person

 

Tony,

I didn't even take the physical, sorry I should have mentioned that the first time. I decided it just was better to get back into my former field which I really enjoy, I was just not able to find work in that field in 2010 when I got out of school so I took a sales job where I am now.

Long term, I will do much better pay wise as long as the economy holds up. Six figure salaries are not uncommon after getting 5-10 years experience.

My own brother is actually talking lately about getting out of trucking and he loves the job. He says all the new and coming regulations are just going to make it very hard to support a family on the pay. Frankly, I agree with him and hope he does do something else but that is more so he can spend time with his kids than anything else (6 year old and a 6 month old).